Soy-sausage appetizers can even entice the family carnivore

Ground beef is one of the most popular ingredients in America. It's used for burgers on the grill, meat loaf and, yes, even simmering with Hamburger Helper.

Ground beef is so popular that large food companies are making vegetarian versions of it. I eat these products frequently, and they've gotten better. Soy-based ground "beef" comes in logs, crumbles, patties and loaves. Most of the soy-based meat substitutes can be browned in a skillet. They act like a sponge to absorb the flavors of any spices cooked with them.

Besides using it for burgers, I buy the bulk ground "beef" that can be made into meatballs, top a pizza or used to create a hearty "meat" sauce.

Soy-based sausages also are available in a variety of flavors. I recommend Gimme Lean, Boca Burgers and Heartland Fields brands.

I was having guests over, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, and I wanted to make an appetizer. I served Soy-Sausage Nachos, and everyone enjoyed them.